Tube-clamp.



C. P. KUEHNER.

TUBE CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. 1916.

fig. ,7

Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

amumdo a str at ons en rant cannon.

CHARLES P.

KUEHNER, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

TUBE-CLAMP.

Lilli-Edie.

Application filed March 6,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Cnxnnns P. Kunuxnn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of llhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in llube-Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tube clamps of the class more particularly adapted for squeezing and closing rubber tubing such as that used in syringes and the like, and the object of my invention is to construct such a clamp of wire bent in the desired form, by which construction the clamp may be made very light in weight, eiiective in its action and inexpensive in construction.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure lis a perspective view showing the clamp as applied to a piece of tubing with the jaws in open position. Fig. 2 shows the clamp applied to a piece of tubing with the jaws in closed position clamping the tube. Fig. 3- is a side elevation showing the clamp as applied to a piece of tubing the jaws being in closed position. Fig. 4tis a top view of the clamp applied to the tubing showing the cam in open position. Fig. 5- is a detail showing the abutting ends of the wire forming the upper jaw bar whose ends are connected together bya stiffening and connecting sleeve, the latter being in section. Fig.'G is a plan view showing the cam member and the shape in which it is cut from sheet stock. Fig. 'T is a side elevation showing the cam member with its two operating handles formed at substantially a right angle to each other. Fig. 8- is a top view of the clamp showing the side wires as twisted together to form a tying member or portion.

In the forming of my improved clamp I use a piece of spring wire of suitable length and preferably first bend the same at its middle portion forming the lower transverse bighting bar 10. Each of the side wire members is then carried back for a short distance at 11 then upward at 12 over and back at 13 to substantially the same plane as the transverse bighting bar thus forming a pair of oppositel disposed upwardly extended Specification of Letters Patent.

crum for the cam.

Patented Jan. 23, 191?.

1915. Serial N0.82,296. loops for the purpose presently described. lhese members are then carried back as at It forming the length of the lower jaw, then tl ey are bent upward and over forming a spring loop as at which serves as a hinged portion on which the jaws swing. Each arm 16 is then carried back substantiallv upon itself or the portion 1%, but spaced apart and is extended between the two up right loops 9. After passing these loops the wires are preferably turned first outwardly as at 17 then the ends are bent at a sharp angle to extend transversely toward each other with their ends 18 forming the upper bighting bar 19. In order to properly connect together and stitl'en these ends I preferably insert them into a piece of tubing 20 which stitlens the jaw bar and forms. a neat finish for the ends of the wires.

I have found it advisable in most instances to apply tie members 21 and 22 between the opposite wires of the upper and lower jaw portions for stitiening and connecting them together. in order to operate these spring jaws to move them toward each other and lock them in closed position, I have provided a cam member 23 whose lower edge is provided with two grooves to receive and slide upon the wire of the upper jaws. This member is provided with lateral projections 25 which are adapted to extend into the loops 9 of the lower jaw thereby providing convenient pivoting ears to serve as a ful- In order to operate this cam I have formed two operating handles, the inner handle 26 being cut out of the sheet stock of the outer handle 27, one being bent at substantially a right angle to the other.

In the construction of my improved clamp. it will be seen that the whole may be formed of a single piece of spring wire looped to form a hinge on which the jaws may swing, the lower jaw being provided with a pair of hinged loops in which the am is pivotallv mounted and the wires of the upper jaw portion being arranged to extend between these hinged loops, whereby the jaws are locked together against'lateral motion.

In some instances 1 twist the opposite jaw wires together forming a supporting or tie member to take the place of members :21 and The cam member is formed of sheet stock and provided with two operating handles set at a right angle to each other, said hanas at 28, see Fig. 8, thereby" dles being so constructed as to form a stop to limit the throw of the cam in either di rection.

I have shown but one form of construc tion of my improved type of clamp, and although specific terms are employed they are used in a generic sense and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tube clamp comprising a pair of normally spaced apart jaws formed of a length of spring wire bent to form a trans verse lower jaw bar, the wire on both sides of the jaw being bent to form an upwardly extending cam supporting loop, then longitudinally the length of the jaw, then over and back substantially upon themselves forming a hinge portion then forwardly of said loops, then transversely forming the upper bighting jaw bar and a cam member pivotally mounted in said loops for operating said jaws.

2. A tube clamp comprising a pair of normally spaced apart jaws formed of a lengthof spring wire, bent to form a transverse lower jaw bar, the parts of the wire on both sides of the jaw being bent to form an upwardly extending cam supporting loop then longitudinally the length of the jaw, then over and back substantially upon themselves forming a hinge por ion then for wardly of said cam loops then transversely forming the upper bighting jaw bar, means for connecting the opposite wires together adjacent the hinge portion and a cam member pivotally mounted in said loops for operatingsaid jaws.

3. A tube clamp comprising a pair of elongated jaws formed from a length of spring wire bent at its bight to form a lower transverse bighting bar, both parts of the wire then extending upward and back forming cam supporting loops then longitudinally forming the length of the jaws then upward over and back substantially upon themselves and forwardly between said cam loops and transversely in toward each other forming the upper bighting bar normally spaced apart from the lower bar and a cam member pivotally mounted in said loops for operating said jaw.

4:- A tube clamp comprising a pair of elongated jaws formed from a length of spring wire bent at its bight to form a lower transverse bighting bar, both parts of the wire then extending upward and back forming cam supporting loops then longitudinally forming the length of the jaws upward over and back substantially upon themselves and forwardly between said cam loops and transversely toward each other forming the upper blghting bar normally spaced apart from the lower bar, a supporting sleeve connecting the ends of the wire, and a cam member pivotally mounted in said loops for operating said jaws, said cam having two operating handles.

5. A tube clamp comprising a pair of nor mally spaced apart jaws formed of a length of spring wire bent to form a transverse lower jaw bar, the wire on both sides of the jaw being bent to form an upwardly extending cam supporting loop, then longitudinally the length of the jaw, then over and back substantially upon themselves forming a hinge portion then forwardly of said loops, then transversely forming the upper bighting jaw bar, the side wires adjacent the hinge portion being twisted together forming a tie between them, and a cam member pivotally mounted in said loops for op erating said jaws.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHAR-LES P. KUEHNER. lVitnesses Howam) E. BARLOW, A. F. MACREADY.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

